Twins rally late, Hughes wins 7-2 in return to NY

Jun 1, 2014; Bronx, NY, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Phil Hughes (45) is congratulated by Twins second baseman Brian Dozier (2) as he walks off the mound after the eighth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. The Twins defeated the Yankees 7-2.(Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)

NEW YORK - Phil Hughes pitched eight poised innings in his return to New York and wound up a winner when the Minnesota Twins rallied past the Yankees 7-2 on Sunday.

The big hits came from Josh Willingham and Brian Dozier in a six-run ninth inning comeback.

Willingham belted a tying homer on the first pitch from closer David Robertson, denying rookie Chase Whitley his first major league victory.

Robertson (0-2) then walked two batters and gave up Dozier's two-out double, putting the Twins on top 3-2.

Eduardo Nunez, also let go by the Yankees, lined a two-run double on Matt Daley's first pitch. Oswaldo Arcia added a two-run single off Matt Thornton to make it 7-2, all but sealing Minnesota's second victory in the three-game series.

Hughes held his former team to three hits - all in a row to begin the fourth - and retired his final 15 batters during his sixth straight win.

"What we wanted to happen, happened," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He was relaxed ... It's fun to watch. He was under control and moving the ball in and out."

Hughes improved to 6-1 on the season with a 3.12 earned run average. He led the Twins to their second straight series win at Yankee Stadium, something Minnesota hadn't done in more than four decades.